Roof covering



G. RITTER ROOF COVERING Dec. 3, 1929.

Filed Sept. .21, 1925 FIG:

INVENTOR: George Rifle];

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE BITTER, OF WOODBBIDGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE BARBER ASPHALT COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIR- envm ROOF COVERING Application filed September 21, 1925. Serial No. 57,486.

This invention relates to weather coverings for roofs and other exposed surfaces, while it has more particular reference to slnn les of the flexible variety which are fabricate of bibulous material saturated with bituminous substance and finished with a mineralized surfacing.

An objectof this invention is to provide a Other objects and advantages will evidence lead as themselves from the following description of one practical embodiment of this invention, as typically illustrated in the accompanying drawings; while the novel features thereof are tersely defined as to subjectanatter and scope by the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. I, is a plan view illustrative of the economical manne in which shingles embodying the press t improvements are severed from standard width material.

Fig. H, is a top plan view of a fragment of a surface covered with the improved shingles; and,

Fig. III, is a section taken approximately on a plane as indicated by the arrowed lines IIIIII in the preceding view.

Referring more particularly to Fig. I of the drawings it will be observed that the indi vidual shingles 4 are severed, in reverse relation, from a web or roll of sheet material 5, having a predetermined width to efiect economical cutting. Each shingle unit 4 convenientlythough not essentially-com rises an upper rectangular section 6 having t e lower corners removed to provide right-angled recesses 7 an apron portion 8 having the upper and lower corners reversel curved at 9, 10,

respectively; and a medial y located rectangular tab 11 at the lower edge which is retrovertible along a crease 12 into underfolded relation with respect to the aforesaid apron 8, as well as for a purpose later on explained. It is noteworthy, at this point, that the radii for all of the curves 9, 10 is of the same lineal dimension in order to reduce a regular pattern effect when the shingles 4 are laid. Furthermore it is to be explicitly understood that I do not limit myself to the particular configuration of apron 8, shown and described, as it may be made square, rectangular, polygonal or otherwise, in order to establish the desired pattern effect. It is preferable, however, that the section 6 be rectangular with the lower corners 7, 7 notched out in reverse relation as shown, said recesses-When brought into contiguityconforming in outline with the configuration of the retroverted tab 11 for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Shingles of the type above described are ollows p A starting strip 13 is provided, at the re uisite intervals, along one longitudinal e go with cut-outs or recesses 14 and it is secured to the roof or other surface boardin 15 b means of nails 16 and washers l7, app 'ed a jacent the angular corners of said recesses, as clearly shown at the lower right hand of Fig. II. The washers 17 it will, be noted, are thus placed so that one edge thereof projects beyond the edge of the shingle material through which the nails 16 are driven. On reference to F ig. III, it will be seen that the first or lower row of shin les 4 are consecutively laid with their respective underfolded tabs 11 inserted into the starter strip recesses or pockets 14, and that thevertical edges of said tabs are firmly clamped by the projecting portions of the washers 17, thereby establishing a substantial hold-down connection for the apron portions 8. It will also be remarked that the shingles 4 are self-aligned by reason of the relatively large rectangular tabs 11 being snugly received in the recess pockets 14,

aforesaid, and the vertical edges or sides of contiguous rectangular sections 6, 6 abutting. The laid shingles are successively secured immovably in place on the surface boarding 15 bg nails Iii-and washers 17driven theret rough adjacent the angular corners of the right angled recesses 7, 7 as will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. II. Thus it will be seen that each shingle 4 is nailed down at two points, while the apron portion 8 thereof is securely clamped down by cooperation of a pair of subjacent nails 16 and washers 17. The second and successive rows of shingles 4 are similarly laid, but with the tabs 11 engaged in the recess afforded by contiguous right-angled recesses 7, 7 as is self-evident; while it will be observed that after the second row is laid, in the manner set forth, each individual shingle is nailed down at four points with the tab 11 clamped as aforesaid.

From the foregoing it is thought that the advantages inhering to the present invention will be clearly apparent, while it may be noted that a surface covered with the improved shingles is sixty-five per cent two-ply and of an unusually attractive appearance. Furthermore, by the use of round washers 17 they do not require any special pre-positioning, other than necessary for ordinary nailing, to afford the requisite projecting parts for tab clamping purposes.

Finally it will be readily recognized that the shingle illustrated fully justifies the features set forth as desirable, and while the particular embodiment described may be found economical to produce it is to be understood that the design of the apron portion 8 may be varied to suit individual tastes, without de arting from thesc'ope of this invention. avi-ng thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a surface covering, a first row of shingles, each of which consists of a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion havin parallel side edges contacting substantialfiy throughout their extent with the side edges of the upper portions of adjacent shingles, the adjacent side ed es of the lower portions of adjacent shin es being shaped to form pockets, each of which has a horizontal upper edge and side edges, and a second row of similar shingles overlapping the first row, the shingles of said second row being provided with tabs at their lower edges, said tabs having the configurations of the pockets and being turned under the shingles of the second row and lyin within the said pocketsin the plane'of the s ingles of the first row.

a 2. In asurface covering, a first row of shingles, each of which consists of a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion having parallel side edges contacting Sl1b stantially throughout their extent with the side edges of the upper ortions of adjacent shin les, the adjacent si e edges of the lower portions of ad acent shingles being shaped to form pockets, a second row of similar shingles overlapping the first row, the shingles under the shingles of the second row and lying within the said pockets in the plane of the shingles of the first row, and means for retaining said tabs within the plane of the shingles of the first row, said means comprising fasteners passing through the underlying shingles and provided with portions extending over the edges of the pockets formed by the underlying shingles.

3. In a surface covering, a first row of shingles, each of which consists of a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion having parallel side edges contacting substantially throughout their extent with the side edges of the upper portions of adjacent shingles, the adjacent side edges of the lower portions of adjacent shingles being shaped to form pockets, each of which has a horizontal upper edge and side edges, and a second row of similar shingles overlapping the first row, the shingles of said second row being provided with tabs at their lower edges, said tabs having the configurations of the pockets and being turned under the shingles of the second row and lying within the said pockets in the plane of the shingles of the first row, and means for retaining said tabs within the plane of the shingles of the first row, said means comprising fasteners passing through the underlying shingles and provided with portions extending over the edges of the pockets formed by the underlying shingles.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name at Maurer, N. J this 15th day of September, 1925.

GEORGE BITTER.

of said second row being provided with tabs at their lower edges, said tabs being turned 

